The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1887-10-20
THE MYSTERIOUS TOUCH

ln my fssthcbtA tbt0uN" s"~N w
manuscripts. 1 recently chsnced upon tb'
following story. And yet cannot deh'
nitely nI the authorship. bus my snspic'
ious sil polo, In one direction. Should
,ber he resliz after further Investigation
Ishall have 20 hesitency ia giving hi'
name. Here 10 the story. precisely as u
sppesfel 10 the manuscript. which appn
eutly has never before seen the light.
lit hss long been theory Of mine that
there is a natural explanation for every oc
eurrence. however ont Of the course OF na
tore II may seem TO the casual observer
Acting upon this theory base devoted
years to the study Of so called supernat
uralism. Liiile hss been published upon
the subjec, that | have not read My Il
brsry 10 tiIled with sueh works AS 'osen' Z
Footfalis on the Boundary Of Another
World. Bulwer's Strange Story Davls's
Great Harmonic. Edmond's Spiritual
ism. and the writings OF Ssedenborg
From the weird legends OF the Hatz
Mountains to Drummond's Natural Law
in the Spiritual World, there is little With
which sm not familiar Anything bear
ing even indirectly upon superuatnrlism
or the spirit world is OF interest 10 mr.
"rhe study Of myths. fairies, ghosts and
goblius is one OF rare fascination. Ooe
enjoys skiliuly told ghost story. even
when he laughs at the idea OF ghost
| Who does not experience thrill oil inter
est upon reading Dickens 'fhirteenth Jn-
ror. fhe Signalman, or Bulwers The
Hauated aud the HuntersS Human nat
ure naturally inclines TO the love OF the
marvellous and supernatural, aud the re-
hearssl Of such tales has made certain
writers famous
II cannot say that my study OF super
nsturalism has lead to any definite result.
have not made any remarkable discover
les, but have had some experiences that
my stifed me. Among them was one OF
apparently inexplicable nature, which 1t
is here my purpose to relate.
IL remember once. some years ago,
while seated in my study, bending over
desk, hand was laid upon my shoulder.
II was my wife's custom (my late hours
bothered Laura to rouse me at times in
this manner and when ! turned to answer
the summons, it was with the expectation
OF seeing her behind my chair. Turning
slowly about answered, Coming, Laura
To my smszement the room was empty
had heard no FOOTBALLS, no voice, but had
merely felt the touch Of hand upon my
shoulder, gentle, it is true, light, as Lau-
ra's touch always is, hut unmistakable; l
had not been in doze, IT was not fancy; l
had been touched by hand.
Il confess that upon turning around
and finding nothing. was startled. sat
> uUsnrus in shouyns, svcAinB W uifDB tno
occurrence within the range OF compre-
hension. My brain was clear, every facul
ty active. Going to the door, opened it
and called up the hallway in low voice
Laura
mo answer
Il called again my voice echoipg
strangely. The hour was late. Laura
was evidently asleep.
II resumed my seat at the desk but
could not continue writing. My thoughts
we're vague and scattered. The mysteri-
Gus touch upon my shoulder filed me
with strange emotions What explanation
Was there for it? No human hand had
touched me; had felt the impress OF
q spirit hand ? Ridiculous |! laughed
at the idea. Mysteied. dissstis fed, l
closed the desk, put out the light and
went up to my bedroom.
Lighting lamp that stood on the bu
resu,I looked at Laura. She lay in sound
sleep, her calm. sweet face partly averted.
1 gently aroused her. had her sit up, as
sured myself that she was thoroughly
awake, and then asked:
"Lanra. have you been long asleep 2
Fully al hour. she replied, looking
at me wonderingly. Has anything hap
penod. George 2
"'Are you sure there is nobody in the
house but ourselves 2 continued.
"'Who could there be. George +? Tell
me what has happened.
Seeing my puzzled expression, she
smiled. looked at me quizzically. and kiss
ed me- felt angry with myself for having
walked her, yet glad to have her sweet
compsnionship.
"Laurs, began, conscious that was
about to make very foolish statement, i
have just had an experience that / cannot
explain. You know what my views on the
subject Of supernstursl-'
"She interrupted me with laugh "a
pleasant, eirlish laugh that did me good
Taking my hands in both her own, she
,sid:
"'Oh, George. ! really thought it was
serious Was it only ghost p
"Pray be serious, Laura. While /
sst at my desk, few moments ago. hand
touched me on the shoulder, Just as you
have done hundred times. More than
hat, Laura, it was your touch
lyon fancied IT. George.
81 felt the touch, Laura as surely as
feel the pressure Of your hands at this
There was no deception; it was
DOT deiusion; hand touched me. Who
SAs il, What was il
Laura glanced quickly over her shoul.
Ter. ~ nervous people are apt TO do when
lone in the house late at night
81 wonder il the house is haunted 2
he queried. lsughingly.
IL vent to bed. but not 10 sleep. The
accident. trivial ss IL may seen. myslefied